Child Endangerment Charges in Michigan: What You Need to Know
Child endangerment is taken very seriously in Michigan, and it can lead to both criminal charges and family court consequences. You do not need to physically hurt a child to be charged with this crime. Simply putting a child at risk of injury or death is enough.
If you or someone you care about in Lansing, Ingham County, or anywhere in Mid-Michigan is facing child endangerment allegations, it is important to understand your rights and take action right away.
What Counts as Child Endangerment in Michigan?
According to Michigan law, child endangerment happens when someone does anything that puts a minor in immediate danger of physical injury, mental or physical impairment, or even death. The law does not require that a child actually gets hurt. Prosecutors only have to prove that your actions could have caused harm. This means that child endangerment is about the potential for harm, not whether harm actually took place.
OWI and Child Endangerment
A common example of child endangerment in Michigan is driving under the influence with a child in the car. Michigan law says that operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a child under the age of sixteen in the vehicle is considered child endangerment. These situations often happen after a traffic stop or accident and can result in both criminal charges and involvement from Child Protective Services.
Penalties for Child Endangerment in Michigan
If you are convicted of child endangerment, the consequences can be serious.
First offense (misdemeanor):
- Up to one year in jail
- Fines of up to one thousand dollars
- Up to ninety days of community service
- Possible driver’s license suspension if alcohol was involved
Second offense (felony):
- Fines of up to five thousand dollars
- Up to one year in jail, or
- Sixty days in jail plus up to one year of community service
- Mandatory substance abuse assessment if alcohol was involved
These penalties are serious, but criminal charges are only part of the picture.
How Child Protective Services Gets Involved
If you are arrested for driving under the influence with a child in your car, or if you are suspected of putting a child at risk, the police are likely to contact Michigan Child Protective Services right away. CPS might remove your child from the scene and start their own investigation, even if you are never convicted of a crime.
A CPS investigation can result in:
- Having your name placed on the Michigan Central Registry (the state’s list of people found to have abused or neglected a child)
- Being required to attend parenting classes, take drug tests, or go through substance abuse counseling
- Supervised parenting time or even having your child removed from your custody
- Termination of parental rights in the most extreme situations
Even if you are found not guilty in criminal court, CPS can keep investigating you. Their process follows its own rules and is separate from the criminal justice system and carries a lower burden of proof.
Protect Your Rights with an Experienced Attorney
At The Kronzek Firm, we have spent years defending parents and caregivers throughout Michigan, including in Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, and Clinton counties. We know how frightening it can be to face both criminal charges and the power of a state agency like CPS. That is why you need a defense team that has real experience, not just a general lawyer.
Contact Us Right Away
If you are accused of child endangerment or contacted by CPS, do not wait to get help. The sooner you get legal advice, the better your chances are of protecting your freedom and your family.
Call The Kronzek Firm at 1 (800) 576-6035
We are ready to help you through every step of the process, in both criminal and family court. Your future and your family’s future may depend on it.